Surgical Stabilizer Aligner Pairs for Orthodontic Jaw Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Orthognathic surgery is lengthy due to pre-operative orthodontic treatment lasting up to three years and post-operative orthodontic treatment taking another year or more, with patients unable to move their jaw during the fixation period, limiting orthodontic movement.
Innovation Solution
Surgical stabilizer aligners with integrated stabilizing features that immobilize the jaw and apply forces to reposition teeth, allowing orthodontic treatment during the fixation period, eliminating the need for pre-operative treatment and reducing the overall treatment duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pre-operative orthodontic treatment is performed to position teeth for proper dental contacts, then the jaw can be properly positioned and aligned during surgery, but the treatment duration increases to up to three years
Solution Approach 1:
The aligner applies preliminary stabilizing forces to the jaw and teeth immediately before surgery, pre-positioning the dental arches in the desired relationship. This eliminates the need for years of pre-operative treatment while ensuring proper alignment for the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the aligner material to enable it to deliver controlled orthodontic forces during the pre-surgical phase. The aligner transitions from a passive retainer to an active force-applying device that can modify tooth positions rapidly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the jaw is wired shut during post-operative fixation period to ensure correct bone repositioning, then the jaw is fixed in place, but orthodontic movement cannot take place
Solution Approach 1:
The aligner provides dynamic control over the jaw position during the fixation period, allowing controlled orthodontic movement while maintaining overall stability. The device can adapt to different treatment stages and provide appropriate forces to move teeth without compromising bone healing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the fixation function from the orthodontic movement function by using multiple aligners that can be independently adjusted. This allows different regions of the jaw to be fixed differently, enabling simultaneous bone healing and tooth movement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional surgical stabilizer aligners are used without integrated orthodontic features, then the jaw can be stabilized, but additional orthodontic appliances are needed and treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the jaw stabilization function and orthodontic treatment function into a single integrated aligner system. The aligner simultaneously provides mechanical stabilization for bone healing and applies orthodontic forces for tooth movement, eliminating the need for separate appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The aligner is designed as a multi-functional device that performs both surgical stabilization and orthodontic treatment. It can be used throughout the entire treatment sequence from pre-operative through post-operative phases, providing universal functionality across different treatment stages.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of stabilizer aligners comprises an upper stabilizer aligner comprising a first set of at least three stabilizing features and a lower stabilizer aligner comprising a second set of at least three stabilizing features. Stabilizing features in the second set of stabilizing features are configured to contact opposing stabilizing features in the first set of stabilizing features to form pairs of opposing stabilizing features, each pair comprising a first stabilizing feature of the first set of stabilizing features and a second stabilizing feature of the second set of stabilizing features. Each pair of opposing stabilizing features has an axis of rotation defined by a vector normal to a planar upper contact surface at a contact between the first stabilizing feature and the second stabilizing feature. No two pairs of opposing stabilizing features have a common axis of rotation or a collinear axis of rotation.